An Open Letter to the NCFP

Dear NCFP officials:

Our beloved Philippines will be hosting two major international chess tournaments namely, the 2008 PGMA Cup and the 4th Pichay Cup International chess championship – with you, NCFP, as the lead.

The world, through the power of the Internet, will be watching us, thanks to these events.

Current technological trends in world-class chess tournaments show that for the chess enthusiasts worldwide to enjoy those events, some technological SOPs must be provided.

Here are the wish lists:
1. Live transmissions of games online (top boards) and in the venue as well (through projection screens)
2. Fast and complete postings of results online
3. Fast and complete postings of games online in PGN format

Holding of these events will surely reflect a picture of our beloved country for the whole world to see.

Will you please make it a pleasant and enjoyable experience this time?

Thank you very much.

Truly yours,
Members of the Malibay Chess Club

Under-16 Chess Olympiad RP bronze: A review

I post this one just in case you missed this article that appeared in the Philippine Star on August 31, 2008. It was written by Florencio Campomanes, former president of the International Chess Federation, FIDE. Read on . . .

Under-16 Chess Olympiad RP bronze: A review
By FLORENCIO CAMPOMANES
Sunday, August 31, 2008


The third place trophy won by the four-man RP team in Mersin, Turkey last week was no pushover. We finished behind India and Russia, these behemoths of world youth chess.

We were in contention until the penultimate round. We missed a 3 1/2 – 1/2 result in a vital draw on second board against England. Thus, a four-zero shutout in the final round would no longer suffice to equal the two leaders, let alone overtake them.



To appreciate the tough task that GM Wesley So, untitled players Haridas Pascua, Alcon Datu and Jam Garcia, had to achieve, mention must be made of factors that affected their labors.
First, they were all 14 years of age. Jam was the Benjamin, leaving his 13th only a few weeks before Mersin. Other teams were mostly 15 or 16-year teenagers. In today’s electronic chess mode, one or two years of difference in age can mean a lot.

Second, both India and Russia had five players each. When one suffered a loss in a previous round, the coach, trainer or manager could replace him. No such luxury for the Pinoys. Even the lowly South African teams had five each, plus coaches.


Third, Garcia and Datu arrived from Manila fresh and eager with coach GM Bong Villamayor for the Mersin Olympiad. But Wesley and Haridas only had a one-day respite with a four-hour bus ride from Gaziantep included. No rest for the fatigued!


Figure 23 tight encounters in two four-hour tournaments in 22 days. That’s no picnic! Note the two fairly short and simple draws Wesley played in Mersin. Haridas suffered two successive losses in the crucial eighth and ninth rounds of the Olympiad.


Fourth, the second-fourth boards are strangers to the real world of international youth chess. For the first time, every game is a hard fought struggle.


Fifth, all Indians were FIDE titled. At tourney’s end, only the Pinoys had one titled player among the top four placers. Titles may mean little or much. In the end, only the results will tell. In the present case, it tells convincingly.


Fortunate though is that camaraderie among the four and their coach was A-one. Internal communication was good. At the dinner table, a player when fetching his glass of filtered water always took a second one for a team mate.


Also, despite a well-stocked lounge store, the teenagers were most frugal, probably, because of limited funds. Wesley and Haridas each received only $200 as their allowance for two tournaments totaling 25 days of travel and play.


This minor point however didn’t bother their play. They played their hearts out to gain some honors for the country in international sports, considering the poor RP medal harvests of late- Five Bronze medals and a fair-sized trophy for the team, and a gold medal for Wesley and his Board One performance, only two draws and unbeaten. All told, not bad!


To get these, they defeated the top-seeded Russia, England and Turkey in their individual confrontations. They lost solely to winner India with the lowest margin of difference.
Bravo Wes, Haridas, Alcon, Jam & Bong. Paging Chair Butch Ramirez!

2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tour (more photos)

Make your own captions . . .

Fear and blunder

Based on my own experience, fear of my opponent seemed to put a grayish screen blocking my clear view of what's happening on the chess board.

Whenever I'm afraid of my opponent, or whenever I'm playing against somebody whom I feel I don't have any chance of winning, there seems to be a numbing spell in my head and a blinding fog in my eyes hindering me to think and see clearly.

I don't know why. But that kind of feeling never occurs in me whenever I play against somebody who is just as good as I am, or better, weaker than I am.

Just look at what happened during the 1st round of the ongoing 1st Dragon Capital Vietnam Chess Open (which runs from August 26 to September 2, 2008) where four Filipino woodpushers led by GM Wesley So are taking part.

So,Wesley (2577) - Le,Kieu Thien Kim (2286)

[C42]1st Dragon Capital Vietnam chess open Vung Tau (1.4), 27.08.2008

Position after 37.Qd6

Out of the blue, Black made a terrible blunder 37. . .Rb6? Was it because of fear? Was it because Black was against somebody named GM Wesley So?

Perhaps, Black was intending for a draw by perpetual check [38.Qxb6 Qc1+ 39.Kh2 Qf4+]

But White's Queen on b6 already supports the f2 pawn.

Wesley punished Black's blunder with the natural 38.Qxb6

Was it just a plain blunder? Or was it caused by fear?

By the way, please click here to see how our Filipino fighters are faring in that tournament after 3 rounds:

2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tournament Photos

CHAMPION: Paulo Bersamina (receiving trophy and cash prize from Brgy. 153 SK Chairman Bryan, being assisted by Rev. Larry Teodoro, the organizer of the 2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tournament)



1st RUNNER-UP: Ace Mary (actually, Ace was the best performer among Malibay participants)



2nd RUNNER-UP: Alex Imperial (the champion in the 1st Malibay Mini-Chess Tournament held recently)




TOP#1 EDANG Player: John Paul Pena (8th overall)



TOP#2 EDANG Player: Mr. A. Padilla (10th overall)

Paulo Bersamina rules 2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tournament

Young chess sensation Paulo Bersamina stamped his class by routing all his opponents in the 2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tournament held last August 25 in Pasay City.

Bersamina posted 7.0 points in seven rounds, already assuring himself of the title as early as 6th round where he erected 1.5-point margin from his closest pursuer.

The 10-year old wonder boy from Cartimar authoritatively sealed his class by downing his competitor in the final round and won the tournament with a 2.0-point gap.

Ace Mary finished with 5.0 points to land in second place. Alex Imperial also posted 5.0 points but ended as third placer due to a lower bucholz point.

John Paul Pena and A. Padilla, who were 8th and 10th placers respectively overall with 4.0 points, received the “Top Edang Players” award.

Brgy. Kgwd. and Rev. Larry Teodoro of Brgy. 154, Zone 16 organized the event with the help of Pasay City Councilor RJ Cabrera (who provided the venue and cash prize) and the Malibay Chess Club.



Paulo Bersamina (holding the trophy) gamely accommodates the request of his fans from Edang and Malibay for a photo-op after the tournament.

(MORE PHOTOS TO COME)

GM Laylo is high in DATMO 2008

GM Darwin Laylo is definitely not lying low in the ongoing DATMO 2008 in Malaysia. After 10 rounds of play, he has scored 7.5 points and is pitted against last year's champion GM Li Chao of China (8.5 points) in Board 1 in Round 11.

Here is how our warriors are faring:

5th Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2008

Round 11
Bo. Name PtsPts Name

1 GM Laylo Darwin 7½ 8½ GM Li Chao b
2 GM Zhang Zhong 7½ 7 Zhou Weiqi
3 GM Li Shilong 7 7½ GM Megaranto Susanto
4 FM Lim Yee-Weng 7 7 GM Dzhumaev Marat
5 GM Sermek Drazen 7 7 Xiu Deshun
6 IM Dableo Ronald 7 7 Zhang Ziyang
7 GM Iuldachev Saidali 6½ 7 IM Nadanian Ashot
8 Wang Li 6½ 6½ Yang Kaiqi
9 FM Goldenberg Igor 6½ 6½ WIM Sukandar Irine Kharisma
10 Yu Lie 6½ 6½ Yap Kim Steven
11 IM Dimakiling Oliver 6 6 Senador Emmanuel
12 FM Novita Anjas 6 6 Wan Yunguo
13 IM Garma Chito 6 6 IM Sadorra Julio Catalino
14 IM Bitoon Richard 6 6 WIM Zhang Xiaowen
15 WGM Li Ruofan 6 6 WGM Gu Xiaobing
16 GM Rahman Ziaur 5½ 6 F. Sayani M. Hendrik
17 WGM Karavade Eesha 5½ 5½ IM Irwanto Sadikin
18 Causo Deniel 5½ 5½ Castellano Christopher
19 FM Wahono Awam 5½ 5½ Baba Masahiro
20 FM Hasan Mehdi 5½ 5½ IM Mas Hafizulhelmi
21 WIM Priya P. 5½ 5½ IM Bancod Ronald
22 Xu Tong 5½ 5½ FM Minhazuddin Ahmed
23 Sagar Shah 5½ 5½ Shen Siyuan
24 Kojima Shinya 5½ 5½ Legaspi Rhobel
25 Jia Haoxiang 5½ 5½ Nanjo Ryosuke
26 FM Mok Tze-Meng 5 5½ WIM Nadig Kruttika
27 Phadke Sohan 5 5 Schon Eugene
28 FM Simanjuntak Sebastian 5 5 Eng Andre-Jerome
29 Nardi Chairil 5 5 Wallis Christopher
30 Foo Benjamin 5 5 Zakaria Fairin
31 Chua Aaron 5 5 Haessler Carl
32 Sano Tomu 5 5 Ong Way Justin
33 Ilic Ilija 4½ 4½ FM Yee Soon Wei
34 Panggabean Hasian 4½ 4½ Loo Swee Leong
35 Erowan Masrin 4½ 4½ Stojic Dusan
36 Capel Evan Timothy 4½ 4½ Liong Ing Kiat Anthony
37 Spiller Paul 4½ 4½ Abdullah Mohd Kamal
38 Tan Khai Boon 4½ 4½ Wong Hao
39 Udani Ian 4½ 4½ Ismail Ahmad
40 Yu Jeffery Hong Cheang 4½ 4½ Yeap Eng Chiam
41 Pereira Johnharry 4 4 Leong Mun Wan
42 Cantonjos Allan 4 4 Kadek Iin Dwijayanti
43 Andin Faizal 4 4 Sabri Mohd Saprin
44 S. Balendran 4 4 Amru Muhd Tariq
45 WIM Szuveges Narelle 3½ 3½ FM Jones Brian
46 Gibbons Robert 3½ 3½ Masters Christopher
47 Ferdiman Tersiman 3½ 3½ Draup Abang Zain Azreen
48 Lim Kian Hwa 3½ 3½ Tan Justin
49 Law Mark 3½ 3½ WFM Milligan Helen
50 Hutapea Juniel 3½ 3½ Low Jun Jian
51 Lee Hai Wen 3 3 Bennet Hilton
52 Draup Hj. Abang Azman 3 2½ Wahiduddin Khairunnisa
53 Chan Yin Yok Linus 2½ 3 Au Hubert David
54 Bakri Alia Anin Azwa 2½ 2 Balasupramaniam Mohan R
55 Ruslan Haslindah 2½ 1½ Zamahari Abang Draup

Philippines vs Russia

Team Philippines (So, Pascua, Datu, Garcia) almost swept the top seed Russian Team by posting a resounding 3-1 score in the 7th round of the World Youth U16 Chess Championship.
Beating the Russian Team is like winning the championship. Considering that the Russian Team is the tournament's top seed made the victory even sweeter.

See? The Philippines can excel in this sport. It's time that government policy makers adopt a paradigm shift in their approach to promote sports in this politically insane country.

Chess can make this nation proud.

As usual, Wesley displayed his tactical genius. See the wizardry below:



Black, IM Aleksandr Shimanov (2480), had just moved 25. . . Rf8. Did you know how Wesley respond? Wesley did the incredible 26.Nxf6!

Sensing the danger, the Russian opponent executed 26. . . Nd7.

But Wesley uncorked another magic with 27.Rxd6!

Until now, without the use of a laptop, I still cannot understand Wesley's last two moves. I have a homework now. I'll try to analyze the position at home.

Who says chess is an indoor sport?

Chess is commonly classified as an indoor sport. But here in the Philippines, it is played almost everywhere, even sa "kanto."

In this photo, the 10-year old Paulo Bersamina performs a simul exhibition along an open street in Edang, Pasay City.

Notably, the scorching heat of the sun does not diminish Paulo's passion for chess. Fun goes on, even under the umbrella.

DATMO 2008

Filipino campaigners in the Dato Arthur Tan Malaysia Open (DATMO) 2008 in Malaysia are doing well.

Points after 6 rounds:

GM Laylo 5.0

IM Dableo 4.5
IM Bitoon 4.5
Kim Yap 4.5

IM Dimakiling 4.0
NM Senador 4.0
IM Bancod 4.0
Rhobel Legaspi 4.0

IM Garma 3.5
IM Sadorra 3.5
Christopher Castellano 3.5

Allan Cantonjos 3.0

But let me focus the spotlight on WIM Zhang Xiaowen who brutally crashed her opponent in Round 6. Watch how she weaved her spell on the board:



Here, Black (Anthony Liong Ing Kiat) had just moved 30. . . Be5?



The beautiful lady Zhang punished it with 31.Qxg6!



Black has not better choice but to take the White's Queen, 31. . . hxg6.



And now the strangler 32.Rh1+



32. . . Kg7 was forced, and then resigned.

Mate in two is unstoppable 33.Bh6+ (33. . . Kh7 or Kh8) then 34.Bf8#

Mother's care

Nothing compares to a mother's love. Paulo Bersamina's mother, Mrs. Rosalie S. Bersamina, is all-support to his priceless son, shown here protecting her gem from the scorching heat of the sun.

What a difference it makes when parents support their kids in the endeavor they love to do!

Endgame arsenal

A lot of chess books recommend to study the endgames first before the openings. Why don't we ask GM Wesley So about this?

Wesley's performance in his 4th round encounter with FM Mustafa Yilmaz (2362) in the ongoing World Youth U16 Olypiad in Turkey may be sufficient enough to know his answer.

The position below shows Wesley's deep endgame arsenal:

Black (Mustafa) has just moved 61. . . Ka8. Did you know how Wesley sealed his victory?

In fact, Wesley's 62nd move is just the finale of his endgame prowess. In this particular game, some said his tactical and positional knowledge in endgame started as early as move 49.

Replay the full game:

[Event "World Under 16 Chess Olympiad"]
[Site "Mersin, Turkey"]
[Date "2008.08.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Wesley So (PHI - GM 2577)"] [Black "Mustafa Yilmaz (Turkey A - FM 2362"]
[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. h3 e6 7. g4 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 Bb4 10. Nxd5 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Qxd5 12. Rg1 O-O 13. Bg2 Qe5+ 14. Qe3 Qa5+ 15. c3 Nd7 16. Nb3 Qc7 17. O-O-O a5 18. Nd4 Ra6 19. Bf1 Rb6 20. Nb5 Qc5 21. Qxc5 Nxc5 22. Be2 Bd7 23. Nd6 Bc6 24. Nc4 Ra6 25. Ne5 Ra7 26. Rd6 Be8 27. f3 Ra8 28. Rgd1 f6 29. Nd3 Nxd3+ 30. Bxd3 Bc6 31. Be4 Bxe4 32. fxe4 Rae8 33. Rb6 Re7 34. Rb5 Ra8 35. a4 Rc7 36. Rd6 Kf7 37. Kc2 Re7 38. c4 g5 39. Rdb6 Ra7 40. e5 fxe5 41. Rxe5 h6 42. Rbb5 Kf6 43. Rxa5 b6 44. Rxa7 Rxa7 45. Rb5 Rxa4 46. Kd3 Ra1 47. Rxb6 Rh1 48. c5 Rxh3+ 49. Kc4 Ke5 50. b4 Rh4 51. Kb5 Rxg4 52. Rb8 h5 53. c6 Kd6 54. Rd8+ Kc7 55. Rd7+ Kc8 56. Rh7 h4 57. Kc5 Rf4 58. b5 Rf8 59. Ra7 Kb8 60. Kb6 Rc8 61. Rb7+ Ka8 62. c7 1-0

Paulo Bersamina's Simul Exhibition Photos

Rev. Larry Teodoro, the event organizer, introduces Paulo to simul participants.




Paulo gamely offers a handshake with one of the participants.



All eyes on Paulo!



Participants get deep into the game as Paulo calmly spells chess wizardry.

More photos to come!!!

Paulo Bersamina's Simul Exhibition

The 10-year old Filipino chess sensation Paulo Bersamina (1862) – a real pride not only of Pasay City but of the whole country – graced the (supposed to be) 2nd Edang Rapid Chess Tournament in Pasay City last August 17, 2008 by performing a simul exhibition.

Listen to the comments of the fans, who range from having a zero knowledge in chess to aged chess veterans:

Fan # 1. “Bakit nag-iisa lang ‘yung bata eh andami ng kalaban?”

Fan # 2. “Kakalabanin n’ya (Paulo) ba talaga lahat kayo (Edang players)? [Fan’s eyeballs popping out]

Fan # 3. “Filipino ba ‘yan?” [Looking at Paulo head-to-toe]

Fan # 4. “Ang kapal naman ng salamin n’ya. Baka microscope yan, eh di malaki ang tingin sa chessboard.”

Fan # 5. “Anak yata ‘yan ni Spassky.”

Fan # 6. “Ang galing!”

Well, who is Paulo Bersamina? To know about his background and achievements, please visit here.

For you to measure his strength of play, just look at his tactical abilities at a very young age. Below was his performance during the 3rd Pichay Chess Challenge last December 2007.

In this game, Paulo (1862) was only nine years old while his opponent, Esmael Abas (2027) was already 22 years old. Who wouldn’t be amazed by a Queen sacrifice?

Bersamina,Paulo - Abas,Esmael [A85]
3rd Pichay Chess Challenge Duty Free Phils, 04.12.2007

Here, Black had just played 21. . . Rxc7. Any idea how White responded? Paulo executed the deadly 22.Qxc7! A courageous Queen sac that led to a clean victory.

The complete PGN file of this game:

1.c4 f5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 e6 4.d4 Bb4 5.Qc2 0–0 6.e3 d6 7.Bd3 Qe8 8.0–0 Qh5 9.Nb5 Ba5 10.b4 a6 11.bxa5 axb5 12.cxb5 c6 13.Ba3 Ne8 14.a6 Rf6 15.Rab1 Rg6 16.Kh1 Qg4 17.Rg1 Rh6 18.bxc6 bxa6 19.c7 Nd7 20.Qc6 Ra7 21.Rb8 Rxc7 22.Qxc7 Nxc7 23.Rxc8+ Ne8 24.Rxe8+ Kf7 25.Rc8 e5 26.Rc7 e4 27.Rxd7+ Ke8 28.Rxd6 exf3 29.Rxh6 fxg2+ 30.Rxg2 Qd1+ 31.Bf1 gxh6 32.Kg1 Kf7 33.Bd6 a5 34.a3 a4 35.Bf4 Qa1 36.Bxh6 Qxa3 37.Bc4+ Ke8 38.Rg8+ Kd7 39.Bb5+ Kc7 40.Bf4+ Kb7 41.Rb8+ Ka7 42.Kg2 Qa2 43.Bc6 Qc4 44.Rb7+ Ka8 45.Rc7+ Kb8 46.Re7+ 1–0

World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad

World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad
Mersin, Turkey
August 16-24, 2008
10 Rounds

Performance of RP Team after 3 Rounds

Individual performance
Board 1. GM Wesley So (3.0 points) [1, 1, 1]
Board 2. Haridas Pascua (2.0) [1, .5, .5]
Board 3. Alcon John Datu (2.0) [1, .5, .5]
Board 4. John Emmanuel Garcia (2.0) [1, 1, 0]

Team performance
Rnd 1 vs Turkiye-Girls A 4-0
Rnd 2 vs Slovakia 3-1
Rnd 3 vs Georgia 2-2

Total of 9 points out of possible 12.

Tournament's 0fficial website here

Featured game of the tournament:

FM Levan Bregadze (2399) vs GM Wesley So (2577)

Round 3

Here, White resigned after Black's 75th move Nf7. White still had 38 minutes left while Black had 44 minutes.

At first glance, the position looked equal. The materials were fairly even. I asked myself "Why did White resign?"

Ahh, the pawns and bishops. All of the White's pawns are sitting on dark squares while its bishop also sits on a dark square. Meaning, White's bishop is trapped by its own pawns.

Meanwhile, Black's pawns sit on light squares while its bishop frolics on dark squares.

In short, positional advantage.

Lesson: Don't let your pawns trap your own bishop.

An anonymous reader immediately commented on this post. The reader said:

zugzwang na to,pag Ng5 then Nh3, kain yung pawn sa f2, if the
King tries to defend, the W Knight will be captured. if the W Knight moves to
f1, Ng5 lang si wes, pag Kg1, Nh3+, taking the pawn on f2. Nagkamali yung
kalaban, dapat Nd2-f1 lang ang sayaw ng Knights, tatagal pa sana sya.

Love to watch

Do you know where these spectators are intently looking at?

HERE. They are amazed with the exceptional abilities of this 7-year old girl (picture below) executing her moves on the chessboard.

These pictures were taken during the 1st Edang Rapid Chess Tournament held recently.

Write and learn

There is a dogma that if you really want to master something, the best way to do it is to write a book about it. Hmmnnnn . . . Well, I want to learn -- if not master -- chess lessons on tactics. That's why from now on, I'll be posting chess tactics lessons here. Got the message? Hehe . . .

I am not sure if there are already widely circulated chess books written by Filipino authors. Well, we have a number of chess columnists like Bobby Ang (my favorite local chess columnist).

It is interesting to find out if we already have existing chess books written by Filipino authors about chess openings or chess ideas that could be attributed to Filipino chess players.


SO,Wesley (2577) - DJURAEV,Sokhib (2324) [C30]
World Junior Chess Championship Gaziantep
03.08.2008 (1st Round)






Here, Black would execute 12. . .c6? GM Wesley took advantage of that error in his 13th move. Can you think like Wesley? Hint: Black's knight looks pathetic.

Blunder

Losing is part of the game. We cannot savor the glory of victory if we do not know the pain of defeat.

What is important is to learn from our setbacks. Then come back wiser and stronger next time around.

But with kids, losing means a lot. I can still remember vividly the picture of a crying boy after a painful loss against an aged opponent during the 1st Mayor Lim Rapid Chess Tournament last summer vacation.

The victorious adult did not know how to comfort his kiddie opponent (perhaps only 7 years of age). The man could not help scratching his head while watching his youthful opponent in rich tears.

Ahh, defeat.

GM Wesley So (2577) suffered his first (hopefully last!) loss in the 11th Round of the ongoing World Junior Chess Championship 2008 in the hands of IM Arik Braun (2533).

Let's see how Wesley committed the fatal mistake:

It was Wesley's (Black) turn to execute his 38th move. He executed 38. . . Ne6??

Can you spot how White capitalized on Wesley's blunder?

Tournaments for kids

I value organizing simple chess tournaments for kids more than staging a super-grand tournament for rated adult players. Why?

1. Better to engage kids in sports rather than engage adults in gambling
2. Better to educate kids rather than to engage adults in game fixing
3. Better to see a group of kids who are after knowledge rather than see a gang of syndicates who are after money
4. Better to see childish, innocent and dreamy eyes rather than see the proud antics and dirty talks of adults
5. Better to be with kids who demand for more rounds of games for enjoyment rather than with adults who demand for a higher cash prize
6. Brighter hope of finding and developing strong players among kids

Chess should be used for the advancement of humanity. It’s always best to start with the kids – the ones who have pure hearts and minds, the ones who are closer to God.

Trivial numbers

I just want to share with you some trivial details about GM Wesley So's peformance in the ongoing World Junior Chess Championship in Turkey. After 10 rounds of play:

When Wesley had the WHITE pieces:
- 4 wins, 2 draws

When Wesley had the BLACK pieces:
- 1 win, 3 draws

Wesley's 5 wins were against:
- 1 FM
- 3 IMs
- 1 GM

Wesley's draws were against:
- 3 IMs
- 2 GMs

So far:
- 5 wins
- 5 draws
- 0 loss

Bright Black

As if GM Wesley So read my previous post where I said:

OBSERVATIONS (after 8 rounds):
1. All wins were with White
2. Has not won with Black
3. All wins were against non-GMs

Wesley responded with a resounding win with the black pieces in Round 9 against a formidable opponent in IM Martyn Kravtsiv (2555) of Ukraine after 52 moves of a Sicilian Defense.

He now has 6.0 points after nine rounds, only 1.5 points behind the lone leader, IM Arik Braun (2533) of Germany with four more rounds to play.

He is paired against GM David Howell (2561) of England in Round 10 on Board 2 holding the White pieces.

Below is the final position of Wesley's victory in Round 9, where he held the black pieces:

Complete game in PGN file:

KRAVTSIV,Martyn (2555) - SO,Wesley (2577) [B35]World Junior Chess Championshi Gaziantep (9.6), 11.08.2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3 a5 9.0-0 d6 10.f3 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bd7 12.a4 Bc6 13.Nd5 Nd7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Qd4+ Kg8 16.Rfe1 Nc5 17.Ne3 b5 18.axb5 Nxb3 19.cxb3 Bxb5 20.Red1 Bd7 21.b4 axb4 22.Rxa8 Qxa8 23.Nd5 Qe8 24.Rc1 Be6 25.Nxb4 Qd7 26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.exd5 Rb8 28.h3 f6 29.b4 Rb7 30.Qe4 Kg7 31.Kh2 Qa4 32.Rb1 Qb5 33.f4 f5 34.Qd4+ Kg8 35.Rc1 Qxb4 36.Qe3 Kg7 37.Rc8 h5 38.h4 Kh7 39.Re8 Qe4 40.Qxe4 fxe4 41.Ra8 Kg7 42.Ra4 e3 43.Re4 Kf6 44.Rxe3 Rb4 45.Rd3 Rxf4 46.g3 Re4 47.Kg2 Ke5 48.Rd2 Rd4 49.Re2+ Kf6 50.Rf2+ Kg7 51.Re2 Kf7 52.Rf2+ Ke8 0-1

Black

GM Wesley So's performance in the World Junior Chess Championship 2008 after 8 rounds.

Round 1
Wesley's Color: White
Opponent's Title: FM
Opponent's Rating: 2324
Result: Win

Round 2
Wesley's Color: Black
Opponent's Title: IM
Opponent's Rating: 2454
Result: Draw

Round 3
Wesley's Color: White
Opponent's Title: IM
Opponent's Rating: 2472
Result: Win

Round 4
Wesley's Color: Black
Opponent's Title: GM
Opponent's Rating: 2543
Result: Draw

Round 5
Wesley's Color: White
Opponent's Title: GM
Opponent's Rating: 2531
Result: Draw

Round 6
Wesley's Color: Black
Opponent's Title: IM
Opponent's Rating: 2507
Result: Draw

Round 7
Wesley's Color: White
Opponent's Title: IM
Opponent's Rating: 2492
Result: Win

Round 8
Wesley's Color: White
Opponent's Title: IM
Opponent's Rating: 2486
Result: Draw

OBSERVATIONS:
1. All wins were with White
2. Has not won with Black
3. All wins were against non-GMs

Malibay Chess Club-KSA Chapter

Mr. Greg Wong, the Malibay Chess Club President, is organizing a Malibay Chess Club-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chapter. See, we are going global! Mr. President, will you please update us about the MCC-KSA Chapter?

Also, Mr. Allan Millan, our member who is working in the Middle East, dropped me a text message last night saying “Hello” to all MCC members. Ingat kayo dyan mga brods. Magpatubo kayo ng bigote! Baka ma-zugzwang kayo ng mga manyakis na Arabo!

GM!

For chess players, there are two initials that they dream of writing before their names: letters G and M. For instance, GM Rusticbull. Wow, hhmnnn . . . a dream.

But these initials are naturally attached to members of the Malibay Chess Club, or whoever comes from Malibay.

Eyebrows raising?

I and my co-club member once dropped by “Guada” – the lair of chess ‘professionals’ in Metro Manila. Upon seeing us, one of those who recognized where we came from said: “Andyan na ang mga GM!”

“Sino? Mga GM ba yan?” asked a no-believer.

“Oo, mga GM ‘yan. Galing Malibay (read: From Malibay)!”

Laughter ensued.

Addicted to Wesley So

When you see members of the Malibay Chess Club huddling over something, it's most probably because they go agog over the PGN game of GM Wesly So. Ahh, we are simply addicted to Wesley's genius in chess. And why not? Wesley makes our day when he wins. He is a bright spot in this politically insane and hopeless nation. He is one of the few reasons that keep this nation sane.

Here is the final position of Wesley's Round 6 game. He played with the black pieces. Result: DRAW.

I thought Wesley could win in this position. I'm so poor in endgame. It never occured to me that this is a drawn position.

Just in case you want to replay this game, here is the complete PGN file:

MELKUMYAN,Hrant (2507) - SO,Wesley (2577) [E15]World Junior Chess Championship Gaziantep (6.9), 07.08.2008

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 c6 9.Qc2 d5 10.Rd1 Nbd7 11.Bf4 Rc8 12.Nc3 Qe8 13.e4 dxc4 14.bxc4 Bxc4 15.Nd2 Ba6 16.Qa4 Bd3 17.Qxa7 Ra8 18.Qb7 Qc8 19.Qxc8 Rfxc8 20.Nf1 Ba6 21.Rac1 Bb4 22.Ne3 h6 23.g4 g5 24.Bg3 Bb7 25.h3 Ra3 26.Nc2 Rxc3 27.Nxb4 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 c5 29.e5 Bxg2 30.exf6 Bxh3 31.f3 Ra8 32.dxc5 bxc5 33.Nd3 Nxf6 34.Nf2 Bxg4 35.Nxg4 Nxg4 36.fxg4 Rxa2 37.Rc4 Rb2 38.Bd6 Rb4 39.Rxb4 cxb4 40.Bxb4 Kg7 41.Kg2 Kg6 42.Kg3 h5 43.gxh5+ Kxh5 44.Bc3 Kg6 45.Kg4 f6 46.Bb2 e5 47.Kf3 Kf5 48.Kg3 e4 49.Bd4 Kg6 50.Be3 ½-½

Let's try to analyze this one

This is the final position of GM Wesley So's 4th round game againstGM Manuel Leon Hoyos (2543) of Mexico . The position was reached after 39 moves, where Wesley offered for a draw. Here, Wesley had the black pieces. Result: Draw.

A request

The father of the 10-year old Paulo Bersamina (1862), a bright hope of Philippine chess, texted me a day ago and even dropped a message in this blog.

I just want to share Mr. Bersamina's message with the rest of the members of the Malibay Chess Club and to all those concerned. This is to prepare ourselves with the kind of tournament that we are going to stage next time.

Mr Bersamina, we hope that you could be our partner in promoting chess -- especially for kids -- in Pasay.

Mr. Bersamina said:

Sana sasali yung anak ko nung tourney nyo, si Paulo Bersamina, kaya lang
nakalagay for Malibay residents only. Dito kami sa may Cartimar, Pasay din.
Please post your future tourneys, sana open to Pasay residents.Good luck!

SO good

SO far, SO good. Wesley beat his 3rd-round opponent to post 2.5 points after three rounds of play in the ongoing World Junior Chess Championship 2008 in Turkey.

He is paired against GM Manuel Hoyos Leon (2543) of Mexico in the 4th round where he will be handling the black pieces on Board 5.

Round 4 starts at around 7:30pm (Philippine time) August 5, 2008. The game can be viewed live here

Meanwhile, Haridas Pascua finally nailed his first point after beating his 3rd-round opponent, Vural Ozge (1853) of the host country.

Here is the 3rd-round game of Wesley (copied from the forum on wesley's games at chessgames.com) as posted by zanshin.

[Event "2008 World Junior Championship"]
[Date "2008.08.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Wesley So"] [Black "Denes Boros"]
[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Bg5 c6 7. Bc4 Ke8 8. Nf3 Nbd7 9. O-O-O Be7 10. Bh4 Ng4 11. Bg3 f6 12. Nd2 b5 13. Be6 Nc5 14. Bxc8 Rxc8 15. f3 Nh6 16. Bf2 Rc7 17. Nb3 Ne6 18. Rd2 Nf7 19. Rhd1 h5 20. a3 g6 21. Be3 h4 22. h3 f5 23. exf5 gxf5 24. Na2 c5 25. Nc3 Nd4 26. f4 Nxb3+ 27. cxb3 e4 28. Nd5 Rc6 29. Nxe7 Kxe7 30. Rd7+ Ke6 31. Rxa7 Rg8 32. Rdd7 Nd6 33. Bf2 Nc8 34. Rg7 Rd8 35. Bxh4 Rdd6 36. Raf7 e3 37. Rf6+ Kd5 38. Rxf5+ Kd4 39. Re5 c4 40. Be1 Rg6 41. Rd7+ Rcd6 42. Rxd6+ Nxd6 43. Rg5 Re6 44. Bc3+ Kd3 45. Kd1 e2+ 46. Ke1 Ne4 47. Rd5+ Kc2 48. Re5 Rxe5 49. Bxe5 Kd3 50. bxc4 bxc4 51. f5 Nc5 52. Bc3 Ke3 53. Bd2+ Ke4 54. f6 1-0

Zest for more tournaments

We are really overwhelmed by requests from a lot of individuals, especially kids, for another chess competition after the successful staging of the 1st Malibay Chess Club Mini-Chess Tournament.

Our own members, friends, supporters and other chess enthusiasts clamor for more - and they want it as soon as possible. As one 7-year old kid (with sparkling interest and hunger for games in his eyes) said, he wanted our club to hold a tournament every week. Haha, how I love to see his innocent eyes. Every week? Only if we have the needed resources, then why not.

You see, all that our club possesses is one chess clock, one chess set, and two tables. Just imagine how we were able to successfully stage our first chess tournament! Almost everything was borrowed - for free.

Only if we have the resources. Only if we have the resources. Only if we have the resources.

How I wish for a time to come when I could already respond to that 7-year old kid who asked me for a tournament every week, "Ok, boy, always come here on Saturdays. Play. Have fun. Learn. Grow. Be the best that you can be. Be the youngest grandmaster of the world!"

Wesley draws 2nd-round game

GM Wesley So (2577) of the Philippines drew his game against IM Sengupta Deep (2454) of India to post 1.5 points after two rounds in the ongoing World Junior Chess Championship in Turkey.

Wesley sacrificed a pawn in his 29th move in exchange for some activity in the center.

Handling the black pieces and a pawn down in a Sicilian opening, Wesley accepted the draw offer from his Indian opponent after 36 moves.

Wesley wins in 1st Round

GM Wesley So (2577) conquered his first round opponent, FM Djuraeb Sokhib (2324) of Tajikistan, in the ongoing World Junior Chess Championship 2008 in Turkey.

The tournament adopts a 13-round Swiss System format that runs from August 2 to 16, 2008.

Seeded 11th in a field of 108 players, Wesley will next face IM Sengupta Deep (2454) of India in the second round holding the black pieces.

Unfortunately, fellow campaigner Haridas Pascua (2174) lost his first round assignment against IM Melkumyan Hrant (2507) of Armenia.

More obstacles come in Haridas’ way as he is pitted against the tournament’s No.3 seed, GM Andreikin Dmitry (2604) of Russia in the second round.